proctor



March 3 1964 R. E. PROCTOR BOOK CARRIER Filed Dec. 5, 1961 INVENTOR.

Rosa-R7 E PAUC 70/? ArmR/vm United States Patent On ice 3,123,264Patented Mar. 3, 1964 3,123,264 BOOK CARRIER Robert E. Proctor, 3163Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Dec. 5, 1961, Ser. No. 157,0837 Claims. (Cl. 224-45) This invention relates to hand-held carriers andhas as its general object to provide a carrier for use by students,professional people, etc, for carrying textbooks, reference books, etc.

In general, the invention contemplates a relatively simple, inexpensivecarrier embodying a handle for suspending it in the hand of a user,embodying supporting ledges along its bottom on which books may rest,and having straps or equivalent means for securing a plurality of booksto the carrier in positions supported by said ledges.

A further object is to provide such a carrier which, in addition to ahandle for suspended carrying has a supplementary hand grip means forunder-arm carrying of the device and its load.

A further object is to provide such a device having, at its bottom,supporting ledge means which is extensible to accommodate variations inthe number of books carried thereby.

A still further object is to provide such a book carrier having a baseproviding storage space for a waterproof cover, rolled up, and alsouseful for housing pencils, pens, or the like.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the ensuingspecifications and appended claims in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a book carrier embodying theinvention, a plurality of books, carried thereby, being shown inphantom;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the base portion of the carrier, shownin longitudinal section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view through the center ofthe carrier showing one of the extensions supports in extended positionand the other in folded position;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the carrier;

FIG. 7 is an inner side view of the waterproof cover compartmentclosure;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a modified form of theinvention, and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of anothermodification.

Detailed DescriptionPreferred F0rm-FIGS. 1-6

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and in particular to FIGS. 16,I have shown therein, as an example of one form in which the inventionmay be embodied, a book carrier comprising, in general, a flat backpanel 15, a carrying handle 16 at the top thereof, a base 14 providingbook supporting ledges at the bottom of the back panel 15 on both sidesthereof, and a pair of book securing straps 17 secured to respectiveends of the back panel 15 and operative to secure a plurality of booksagainst the respective side faces of the panel. The back panel 15, base14 and carrying handle 16 are preferably formed integrally of expandedplastic foam material (e.g. expandable polystyrene) combining maximumstrength and lightweight characteristics. The material sold commerciallyby Dow Chemical Co. as Pelaspan is suitable. Foamed aluminum metal alsocan be utilized.

Holding straps. On the median longitudinal axis of the back panel 15, atits respective ends, it is formed with extensions 21) projecting beyondthe ends of base 14 and provided with shallow vertical notches 21 and apair of vertical slots 22 and 23 in adjacent, parallel relation thereto.Each of the straps 17 comprises an end portion 24 on one side of theholder, to which is secured a buckle 25, and a tip portion 26 on theother side of the holder, attachable to the buckle 25 of the otherstrap. Intermediate the respective portions 24 and 26 thereof, eachstrap is threaded through the slots 22, 23 of a respective end extension20 of the back panel 15 and, when fastened to the buckle of the otherstrap, is extended around the end extremity of a respective extension 26and seated in the notch 21 thereof. More specifically a strap having itsbody portion 24 disposed on one side of the back panel 15 is threadedfirst through the inward slot 23 to the opposite side of the panel, isthence looped back upon itself into a bight 27 which is drawn againstsaid opposite side, is thence extended back through the outward slot 22to said one side of the back panel 15, is thence looped back in theopposite direction to form a bight 23 engaging the said one side of thepanel 15, is thence bridged around the end of the panel 15 at 29, whereit is seated in the notch 21, and thence is extended at 31 to the tipportion 26. It will now be seen that the two bights 27 and 28, togetherwith the strap portion joining them in the slot 22, are ofS-configuration. The S-looped portions 2'7 and 28 of the strap bearfrictionally against the contacting portions of back panel 15 to holdthe straps against slippage in the slots 22 and 22, while providing foradjustment of the straps relative to the back panel. Alternatively, thestraps can be secured to the back panel 15 by rivets or any othersuitable means.

The base 14 comprises an elongated body 31 having at its respectiveends, supporting members (e.g. feet 32 and 33, defining fiat horizontalsupport surfaces normal to the vertical plane of back panel 15, andhaving in its central region a bottom hand-hold section 34 disposedbetween the feet 33 and of downwardly bellied, barrelshape cross sectionas best seen in FIG. 5. The handhold 3 provides a comfortable surfacewhich can be nestled in the palm of the hand when the user chooses toutilize an under-arm carry. That is to say, the book holder and its loadmay be embraced between the users body and his downwardly hanging arm,with the arm extending downwardly around the outward side of the holderand the hand curled beneath the hand-hold 34 toward the users body.Alternatively, the book holder and its load may be suspended from theusers hand, grasping the handle 16.

The end portions of the base body 31 are of approximately rectangularcross section as indicated in FIG. 5. The lower faces thereof (e.g. offeet 32, 33) are squared with respect to the back panel 15 (disposed ina common plane at right angles to the plane of panel 15) to rest solidlyupon a horizontal supporting surface with the book carrier supported inan upstanding position. These squared, supporting lower faces extend thefull width of the base 14. The chamber 36 has one end closed at 37.

Within the body 31, for its full length, is disposed a shallow chamber36, of rectangular cross section, extending substantially full length ofthe base 14, and the other end has an open mouth adapted to be closed bya removable stopper 38 having spaced spring legs 39 (FIG. 7) receivablein and frictionally engageable against the upper and lower walls of thechamber 36.

The base 14 projects symmetrically on both sides of the plane of backpanel 15, and its upper side provides a pair of oppositely projectinghorizontal supporting ledges 41 upon which books 50 (shown in phantom inFIGS. 1 and 2) may be rested. Each supporting ledge 41 is faced with onehalf of the width of a strip of non-stretchable fabric 42, adhesivelysecured thereto. The strip 42 has the remaining half of its widthcemented or bonded to the face of an extension shelf 43, and has amedian longitudinal portion 44 functioning as a hinge oining extensionshelf 43 to a respective ledge 41. Formed integrally in the respectivesides of base 14 and extending full length thereof, are respectivesupporting stops 45 against which the shelves 43 come to rest in theirfully extended positions corresponding to that seen at the leftward sideof FIG. 5. Where only one pair of books is to be supported on arespective side of the holder, the shelf 43 may be folded back upon itsrespective supporting ledge 41 and the books hence supported against theback (upper) side of the shelf 43 as seen at the leftward side of FIG.3. Where two pairs of books are to be supported on one side of theholder (as at the rightward side of FIG. 3) the outward pair of books issupported upon the extension shelf 43. The books are held in place bythe straps 17, as illustrated.

The fabric of hinge sheets 41 is of very closely woven, thin fabric(e.g. about inch in thickness) which is sufficiently non-stretchable soas to support the extended shelves 45 by tension in the hinge areas 44of the fabric, to the extent that when resting upon the supporting stops45, the shelves 43 will provide adequate support for a pair of bookswithout sagging below the horizontal plane of coplanar relationship withthe edges 41. For improved strength, flexibility and wear-life, thefabric strips 41 are preferably impregnated with a thermoplastic resinfilm of relatively high tensile strength and high flexibility.

Modified FrmFIG. 8

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the base may be solid, shallow and flat, whereit is not required to embody a receptacle therein; and the hand-hold 34may be more shallow and more broadly curved as shown. In other respects,this form of the invention is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1-7.

Instead of spaced feet 32 and 33 (defined by notching out the base toeliminate excess weight) the end portions of the base (e.g. 14a in FIG.8) may be in the form of rectangular blocks of uniform cross-sectionfrom the ends of hand-hold 34 to the ends of the base.

FIG. 9 illustrates the substitution of metal hinges 44a in lieu of thehinges 44 of FIGS. 1-7. In other respects this form is the same as thatshown in FIGS. 1-7.

I claim:

1. In a book carrier, in. combination: a thin flat back panel, acarrying handle attached to the top thereof, a base secured to the lowermargin of said panel and having supporting ledges projecting fromrespective sides of the panel at right angles thereto, retainer strapslinked to said back panel and adapted to retain a plurality of books inengagement with the respective sides of the panel with the books restingupon said supporting ledges, and extension shelves hinged to the lateralmargins of said supporting ledges, for movement between folded positionsresting in fiat face-to-face contact with said ledges and extendedpositions coplanar with said ledges and extending laterally therefrom.

2. A book carrier as defined in claim 1, including respective strips ofthin, non-stretchable fabric adhesively secured to the opposed faces ofsaid ledges and shelves and functioning as hinges at the joints betweensaid ledges and shelves.

3. A book carrier as defined in claim 2, wherein said fabric strips areimpregnated with a synthetic resin plastic film of high flexibility andtensile strength.

4. A book carrier as defined in claim 1, wherein said base has integralsupporting stops extending longitudinally along its respective sides andspaced below the axes of hinged connection between said shelves andledges, a depth correspondin to the thickness of the shelves whereby theinboard marginal portions of said shelves may rest upon such stops insaid extended positions thereof.

5. A book carrier as defined in claim 1, wherein said back panel, handleand base are molded integrally of expandable polystyrene.

6. A book carrier as defined in claim 1, wherein said base in its lowerside comprises end portions having squared bottom faces for supportingsaid carrier in an upright position, and an intermediate hand-holdportion having a rounded convex surface.

7. A book carrier as defined in claim 1, wherein said base has aninternal chamber extending longitudinally therein and of shallow, flatcross section, with its width extending horizontally.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS823,258 Burton et a1. June 12, 1906 857,050 Gottschalk June 18, 19071,991,306 Woolsey Feb. 12, 1935 2,510,591 Listman June 6, 1950 2,689,072Dechar Sept. 14, 1954 2,708,063 Yale May 10, 1955 2,848,149 Ward Aug.19, 1958

1. IN A BOOK CARRIER, IN COMBINATION: A THIN FLAT BACK PANEL, A CARRYINGHANDLE ATTACHED TO THE TOP THEREOF, A BASE SECURED TO THE LOWER MARGINOF SAID PANEL AND HAVING SUPPORTING LEDGES PROJECTING FROM RESPECTIVESIDES OF THE PANEL AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO, RETAINER STRAPS LINKED TOSAID BACK PANEL AND ADAPTED TO RETAIN A PLURALITY OF BOOKS IN ENGAGEMENTWITH THE RESPECTIVE SIDES OF THE PANEL WITH THE BOOKS RESTING UPON SAIDSUPPORTING LEDGES, AND EXTENSION SHELVES HINGED TO THE LATERAL MARGINSOF SAID SUPPORTING LEDGES, FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN FOLDED POSITIONS RESTINGIN FLAT FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH SAID LEDGES AND EXTENDED POSITIONSCOPLANAR WITH SAID LEDGES AND EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREFROM.